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The Nairobian

Curtain rolled down on HAK association 2013 calendar last weekend with Horse of Year Show

Sports

By BY OSCAR PILIPILI | Dec 22, 2013

BY OSCAR PILIPILI

KENYA: After four days of exciting and wonderful jumps, curtains finally rolled down on Horses Association of Kenya (HAK) season 2013 with Horse of The Year Show (HOTYS).

The season ender attracted riders and horses from as far as Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Notwithstanding, visiting South African judge Gill Shaw who officiated at FEI World Jumping Challenge at the Park the previous weekend was present to oversee HOTYS.

Liz Thoenes, who chaired HOTYS committee, was happy with Shaw’s decision to stay back and judge at the event that ended at Jamhuri Park last weekend.

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“We’re very lucky to have Gill Shaw from South Africa who came up to judge last weekend’s FEI World Jumping Challenge stay on to judge at our show,” Thoenes said in a statement before the start of the HOTYS.

The final event of the HOTYS was Pony Championship of Kenya won by Katie Bowser from Uganda riding Winnie the Pooh (South Africa)

Reserve winner was Ornella Hutchinson (Langata) riding Morning Flight (Kenya) in the event.

The Challenge was competed under different categories for both adults and juniors and winners of each event were recognised by organisers of the show- HAK.

Kenyan swimming star Coral Hays guided Mary Binks owned Walvis Bay to victory in Adult and Young Riders category.

The young Hays was part of Kenya Team that participated in recent African Junior Swimming Championships in Zambia early December.

Rider and owner Louisa Vittone from SOS Children’s Village came first in Adult and Young Riders Grade 1.00m Championship.

Ranked first

Sultan from Ol Pejeta Ranch in Laikipia ridden by Ellie Jones was ranked first in the grand champions under saddle category.

King Salsa, ridden by Fal Manor came all the way from Zimbabwe to grace the occasion and she did not disappoint as she beat other local horses to finish second overall behind King Salsa. HAK are the organisers of equestrian sports.

Their congested calendar of events that runs throughout the year features events like the energy sapping cross country and the popular show jumping.

Some of the events that are organised by HAK include FEI Group IX Gauntlet Kenya Leg, FEI World Challenge and FEI Dressage.

Jockey Club of Kenya (JCK) and Kenya Polo Association (KPA) are other stakeholders in equestrian sports. JCK organises racing and KPC the game of polo.